Dustin Lynch and Entertainment Tonight host Nancy O'Dell were tapped with the duty of presenting the award, commending each of the nominees for their talents. The audience rose to its feet when Hunt's massive hit was announced as the winner, but he was absent from the show and unable to accept the award, leaving Lynch and O'Dell to accept the award on his behalf.

"Congratulations Sam, where are you?!" O'Dell shouted.

"Body Like a Back Road" is not only a significant accomplishment in Hunt's own catalog, but across the genre's history. The song makes Hunt the only solo country artist to sit in the No. 1 spot on Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the longest period of time, dethroning Leroy Van Dyke's "Walk on By" by claiming the spot for 20 weeks. He also broke the record set by Florida Georgia Line's smash hit "Cruise" by becoming the first song on the chart to sit in the No. 1 position for more than 24 weeks.

Hunt was also nominated for "Body Like a Back Road" in the Song of the Year category, which ultimately went to Miranda Lambert's harrowing song "Tin Man."